27th Jan 2025 11:18
(Alliance News) - hVIVO PLC on Monday said it had signed a letter of intent to run phase 3 trials on ILiAD Biotechnologies LLC's whooping cough vaccine.
The London-based medical research contractor is slated to test BPZE1, the lead vaccine candidate of the Florida-based biotechnology firm. BPZE1 targets bordetella pertussis, a type of bacteria which causes whooping cough.
hVIVO described the deal with ILiAD as a "landmark study" in its human challenge portfolio. This model of testing means researchers expose volunteers to the bacteria, rather than waiting to test naturally-infected patients.
The two companies are yet to finalise the deal, though testing is expected to commence in the second-half of 2025.
hVIVO shares rose 8.8% to 21.33 pence on Monday morning in London.
The news comes amid one of whooping cough's cyclical outbreaks, according to hViVO. Global vaccination rates for the disease are estimated at 84%. Still in 2024, the US Centre for Disease & Prevention reported a sixfold annual increase in cases as part of a "return to pre-pandemic patterns".
ILiAD Chief Executive Keith Rubin commented: "By leveraging hVIVO's extensive experience and expertise in human challenge trials, we plan to generate robust pivotal clinical data to support global marketing authorisation applications for BPZE1, a vaccine with the potential to address a major unmet medical need."
By Holly Munks, Alliance News reporter
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